Explore Salt Stone Studio: the inspiration, materials and craftsmanship that shape the jewellery.

A bit about me

I've always been drawn to objects that have earned their place in people's lives. A quiet sense of permanence; things that stay with us, gather meaning over time and become woven into our stories. Each piece evolves with use, the surface quietly recording its journey and bearing, like its wearer, the marks of a life lived.

Belief

I love naturally weathered surfaces and the way time and the elements shape materials. Softened contours, subtle surface variations and tactile textures reveal a gradual transformation, where every mark becomes part of the whole.

I see a reflection of this in ourselves. As we move through life, our experiences leave their own marks, shaping who we become. They challenge us. They soften our edges. They change us. Each becoming part of our story.

I hope that when someone wears a piece of my jewellery, they love how it looks and feels, and perhaps value the quiet connection it holds - to a person, a place, a moment or something within themselves that matters.

Little Wriggle by Colin Rose, exhibited at Stone Wall Gallery in 2016

Expression

This belief guides my approach to design.

Every curve, surface and detail is shaped with touch in mind. Over time, its weight, form and tactile qualities become increasingly familiar, offering comfort and an enduring sense of connection.

I have long been inspired by sculpture: its quiet presence, softened curves and ability to draw us in-to move around it, look through it and experience its relationship with the surrounding space. That appreciation naturally finds its way into my work, where I explore form on an intimate, wearable scale-creating jewellery that invites a response.

Materials

I choose natural gemstones for their unique character. Formed over millions of years, no two are exactly the same. Like us, each carries the story of its journey with subtle variations bringing individuality to every one.

I choose precious metals because they are both enduring and adaptable. They can be shaped by hand, worn every day, repaired, and reworked - all the while gathering the marks of the life lived alongside them.

Design & Making

Technical bench skills are fundamental to making jewellery, but design judgement matters too. It informs every decision throughout the process.

The weight should feel reassuring. The proportions should feel balanced. A stone should belong within a design rather than just being held by it. The finish should suit the piece, not compete with it.

Individually they may go unnoticed, but together these decisions shape jewellery that feels comfortable and quietly confident.

Experience

I have continually developed my practice, refining the artistic and technical sides of my work through formal training in drawing, painting and jewellery making, alongside my gemmology studies with Gem-A, the Gemmological Association of Great Britain.

Before establishing Salt Stone Studio, I spent two decades painting and later founded The Stone Wall Gallery, bringing together an art gallery, sculpture garden and creative workshop centre in the Scottish Borders. Those years shaped the way I see and gave me an instinct for form, balance, line and colour that continues to inform every piece I create today.

I also spent many years in the corporate world, including as Head of ESG, with a strong focus on sustainability and responsible supply chains. That background now guides the questions I ask and the choices I make when sourcing materials for the studio.

Meet The Neighbours

Salt Stone Studio is fortunate to be surrounded by a wonderful community of independent businesses on the beautiful Camel Estuary.